Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
09:23
Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
Published on: June 21, 2015
10.1K
Nickel Content in Human Internal Organs
Danuta Dudek-Adamska1, Teresa Lech2, Tomasz Konopka3
1Departament of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Kraków, Poland. dudekd@chemia.uj.edu.pl.
Biological Trace Element Research
|August 26, 2020
Summary
This study measured nickel levels in autopsy tissues from 60 individuals in Southern Poland. Results show varying nickel concentrations, with generally lower levels in females compared to males.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Human Biology
Background:
- Increasing metal concentrations in the environment pose potential health risks.
- Establishing reference levels for essential and toxic elements in biological samples is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine nickel concentrations in autopsy tissues of non-occupationally exposed individuals in Southern Poland.
- To establish baseline nickel levels in various human organs.
Main Methods:
- Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was used for nickel determination.
- Microwave-assisted acid digestion was employed for sample preparation.
- A previously optimized and validated procedure was followed.
Main Results:
- Nickel levels varied widely across tissues, with ranges (ng/g wet weight): brain (2.15-79.4), stomach (0.5-44.2), liver (7.85-519), kidneys (12.8-725), lungs (8.47-333), and heart (2.3-97.7).
- Females generally exhibited lower nickel levels than males, with statistically significant differences observed in the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
- Median nickel concentrations were similar across age groups, except for the stomach.
Conclusions:
- The study provides reference nickel levels in autopsy tissues for a non-occupationally exposed population in Southern Poland.
- Observed nickel concentrations are generally consistent with previously published data.
- Sex-based differences in nickel distribution within human tissues were identified.
Related Concept Videos
01:27The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
22.0K
Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Periodic Table Provides Information...
22.0K
00:57The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
198.1K
Overview
198.1K
01:03Precipitation Gravimetry
11.8K
Precipitation gravimetry is based on converting an analyte into a sparingly soluble precipitate, which is separated by filtration and weighed. An ideal precipitate should be pure, insoluble, of known composition, and easily filtered from the reaction mixture.
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
11.8K
01:36Types of Toxins
3.0K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.0K
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
10.6K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
10.6K